Hey folks, join me here as I go over this week’s great NXT show once again, another packed out show with tonnes of potential, so no more delay, let’s get right to it:
“In Memory Of George ‘The Animal’ Steele”
WWE NXT
February 22nd, 2017
Venue: Full Sail University, Orlando, Florida
Commentary: Nigel McGuinness, Tom Philips, Percy Watson
The show kicks off with a short promo announcing tonight’s triple threat NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contenders match, which is sure to be an interesting one. We are introduced to the commentary team of Tom Philips, Percy Watson and Nigel McGuiness, and Philips lets us know what we are in for this evening: Mark Andrews faces off against ‘The Bruiserweight’ Pete Dunne in what is sure to be a great clash, an anticipated rematch of their clash at the United Kingdom Title Tournament. Also tonight, NXT Champion Bobby Roode takes on No Way Jose. So let’s roll.
Triple Threat #1 Contenders Match For The NXT Women’s Championship: Ember Moon VS Liv Morgan VS Peyton Royce
I thought this one was always going to be as great as ever since it was made last week by NXT General Manager William Regal. All three women want the title, and Ember Moon especially made her intentions very clear after Takeover: San Antonio. Again, the question is will Billie Kay get involved?! The match itself kicked off at a very high pace as all three women were getting their shots in for a good start. And before you know it, right I was to question whether or not Billie Kay would get involved, that she did. Really, was there any doubt?! This was anyone’s game here as all women were looking good in their offence and each had some good momentum and a legit chance of coming out on top. Peyton Royce, being the typical heel, had a nice and fairly long spell of dominance of both opponents, and played the crowd very well with all of her gloating. Royce also did a great job of keeping Ember Moon out of the match to put full focus on Liv Morgan. There was some terrific action, and Moon did superbly to get herself back into this match, and, moreover, for another attempted interference, Billie Kay received Moon’s Top Rope Stunner. This finisher is amazing to watch. The match came to it’s close when Moon was once again eliminated by Royce, and the Australian was able to catch Morgan with a knee and followed up with her Bridging Fisherman Suplex for the pinfall. Great contest with three hungry women and we should all agree that Peyton Royce was very impressive here. That had to be one of her best performances to date. Well done ladies.
Peyton Royce Beat Ember Moon And Live Morgan (Morgan By Pinfall)-Bridging Fisherman Suplex
Next up were two video packages, focused on each set of United Kingdom Tournament highlight featuring Pete Dunne and Mark Andrews. This was obviously to hype up their upcoming match, and I was really looking forward to this one. Could Mandrews even up the score?! Following that was another video package, this time hyping up the return of Kassius Ohno! I cannot wait for his return, and as I will discuss later, we did not have to wait too long. Exciting times!
Mark Andrews VS Pete Dunne
This one was going to be awesome. This was a highly anticipated rematch of their brilliant bout in Blackpool, so Mandrews was keen to get the score evened up here. If this match was anything like Blackpool’s encounter we were all in for an absolute treat. The match kicked off with great back and forth stuff from both guys, another fast paced start. Pete Dunne gained the upper hand and done superbly in regards to targeting body parts, however, Mark Andrews turned the momentum around with his usual amazing offence. When it came to Dunne it was just no-nonsense offence, and he was excellent at staying on Andrews and prevent any high flying counter attacks. He indeed showed why his nickname is ‘The Bruiserweight’! As always, though, Mark Andrews finds the energy to get back into the contest and this evening was no different when he strung some of his manoeuvres together. However, the match looked to be over and done with when Pete Dunne countered once again, hitting a Forearm into his X-Plex for a great two count. Andrews also got a close near fall when he performed a Reverse Hurricanrana, which in my opinion looked absolutely awesome! Fans were loving this. I really hope we consistently get to see more and more of these guys on NXT Television. Andrews looked to have had the victory wrapped when he landed his Stunner and raced for the top rope, however, after his Shooting Star Press landed on Dunne’s knees, Dunne capitalised and landed the Bitter End for the 1..2..3. What a match, great work from both guys here. Seriously, having one of these UK matches per week would be great for NXT!
Pete Dunne Beat Mark Andrews By Pinfall-Bitter End
We head backstage where new #1 Contender Peyton Royce claims that she should already be NXT Women’s Champion, but that doesn’t matter because as of next week she will be. Sure to be another great one, although I expect Asuka to still be the champion after next week. Next up was a WWE.com exclusive with Tye Dillinger, who spoke about what has been going on with Sanity, and says that he has the backs of both No Way Jose and Roderick Strong. It will be very interesting to see where this goes. Main event time.
NXT Champion Bobby Roode VS No Way Jose (Non-Title)
I simply cannot, I repeat, cannot get enough of the entrances of both No Way Jose and Bobby Roode, they are just awesome, simple as that.Goosebumps! Both men got great reactions, as I expected anyway, and No Way Jose always knows how to bring up the energy. Roode kicked the match off playing around with Jose, and there were some comedic spots at the start as well which the fans were right into, they were funny to watch. The first focal point in the match was when Bobby Roode caught No Way Jose with his Double R Spinbuster, and from that point, the champion did very well to keep on Jose, and he is indeed brilliant at it. I have said it before and will absolutely continue to do so: Bobby Roode is one of the best in the world, no question. Eventually, Jose picked up some energy from the supporting crowd and gained some momentum, and he may well have had the match won when he landed his Pop Up Punch if it weren’t for Bobby Roode instinctively rolling out of the ring. However, we all know how smart Roode is, and it paid off: Once Jose rolled Roode back into the ring, the champion was playing possum, which Jose fell for and was caught off guard with Roode’s Glorious DDT. Over and out!
Bobby Roode Beat No Way Jose Via Pinfall With The Glorious DDT
Great display by both men and the crowd loved it the whole way. What was interesting was post match also. Roode decided to attack the knee of Jose to further his statement, for really no reason. But as I spoke about earlier, about not having to wait long, it turns out there was a reason for the post-match attack: To prompt the return of Kassius Ohno! Ohno ran out to clear Bobby Roode from the ring and went on to state his claim..He wants Roode for the NXT Championship. The champion teases a match right now, but only to distract Ohno for a sneak attack, however, it was the returning star that got the last laugh. So it looks as if NXT may be heading in the direction of Bobby Roode VS Kassius Ohno for the NXT Title at Takeover: Orlando?! Things just got even more interesting!
Overall Thoughts
Once again a strong showing by everyone involved, and all three matches were great and packed with action. The show stealer for me had to be Pete Dunne VS Mark Andrews. As I said previously, I really hope these United Kingdom matches keep on happening, and based on this evening, it looks like it may be ‘The Bruiserweight’ Pete Dunne next in line to challenge United Kingdom Champion Tyler Bate, that will be awesome. We shall see what next week brings as next week is all about titles: We will see Peyton Royce challenging Asuka for the NXT Womens Championship, and we will see DIY getting their long awaited rematch against The Authors Of Pain for the NXT Tag Team Championships. This will be another awesome show, so join me again next week guys as we go over next week’s happenings. Until then, take care, and thanks.